James Robert Griffith was born May 10, 1929, to Lloyd H. and Mabel (Warren) Griffith 
at the family farm in rural Kingsley.  He attended Garfield #1 country school through 
8th grade and also attended Vacation Bible School there.  He graduated from 
Kingsley High School in 1946. 
In 1951 he enlisted in the National Guard and was assistant gunner on a 4.2 mortar.  
He then went to the U. S. Army and was stationed at White Sands, New Mexico.  There 
he drove a missile truck in the 550th Field Artillery Battery.  At White Sands Proving 
Grounds he trained on a truck-mounted rocket.  He then entered the Army Reserves, 
and spent a total of ten years in service to his country. 
He returned home and farmed with his father and brother Warren “Pete” for many 
years.  He was a member of the Kingsley Methodist Church for nearly all his life, 
serving on the Administration Board and also as head usher for 25 years. 
He spent countless hours supporting the local basketball and softball teams, and his 
nieces’ and nephews’ activities as well.  He kept stats on many teams for his own 
records and enjoyment. 
One of his most memorable times was the trip to the United Kingdom in 1999.  
Meeting and visiting with his relatives in Wales was such an enjoyable and 
unforgettable experience for him. 
He was preceded in death by his parents, Lloyd and Mabel, sister Gwen Bierman, 
brothers Warren “Pete” and Wyman Griffith, brothers-in-law John Bierman and Lloyd 
Keck, sister-in-law Emma Lou Griffith, nephews Jerry Bierman, Dennis Bierman, 
Randall Lee Griffith, Rick Griffith, and niece Theresa Griffith. 
Surviors include his sister Colleen Keck, sister-in-law Betty Griffith, and many cousins, 
nieces, and nephews and friends.